Girl, 13, Awarded $150 Million for Family's Death

October 30, 2013

A California jury verdict awarded $150 million to a 13-year-old girl whose family was killed in a car accident in 2009.

The wrongful death suit was filed on behalf of Kylie Asam, whose mother, father and brother burned to death on November 22, 2009, after the GMC Yukon her father was driving hit an illegally parked truck on the 210 Freeway.

Kylie and her brother Blaine were also in the vehicle at the time of the crash and managed to crawl out of a broken window in the back seat, but the rest of the family died when the Yukon caught fire.

The driver of the truck, who was working for Bhandal Bros. Trucking, was illegally parked on the shoulder of the freeway, which is designated for emergencies. The driver claimed that he pulled over to the side of the road to take medication for a headache, which his lawyer claimed constituted an emergency. He did not turn on his hazard lights or set out emergency reflectors.

The jury ruled against the driver and the trucking company, awarding Kylie $150 million, which includes $8.75 million for her brother Blaine, who took his own life in June.

According to Kylie's attorney, the money will be held in a trust fund until she turns 18.